Chap.ao . An Expofition upon the .Book..e of JO B. Verf. 26. thefe dayes? and we have fometimes Peen the bellows themfelvs (as they well deferved)burnt in it. By the 'bleffrng ofthe rightrous ( faith Solomon, `pro. r a. z z.) t he City is exalted; But it is over- throwne by the mouth, ( that is, by the contentious words, and dividing counfells)of the wicked. Thele ftirre the coalcs, and blow np the fire. ( Pro. 29 8. ) Scornefull men bring a City into a [name, or,fet a Cityon fire; as the margin expreffeth it ; But though latch 'men, and their enflaming practices are often dif- cerneable by all, yet fometimes the fire of trouble and conten- tion kindles, while every one Bands wondering who blowed it, or which way it was kindled : both Nations and perfons have been ruined by an invifible hand ; they are confumed and un- done, that they know ; but how it came about they knownot ; As to them it was by a fire not blowne. Some have complai- ned, that it was more then all their mifery to be under mifery whole original! they knew not. The Heathenshave taken no- tice of this, as a great aggravation offufferings. Nor fo much as this cafe is given to the miferable, to know whence their miler) came, orby what hand they were undone. The Lord bath infinite wayes to kindle fires upon us, and we (hall not fee who are the bellows that doe it. That which is Paid of the fire in hell, It bath heat in it,but no light in it; is veri- fied ofmany Judiciary fires here on earth ; They have beate in them, but no light in them ; Not only bath theafflicted no light of comfort to them, but no light of knowledge about them. 'Tis a fmothering fire, and in this fence it may allo be called a fire not blowne ; for the breath of the bellows in blowing draws the more fubtile vapour out of the fuel, and caufeth the flame : where there is noblowing, there is little flame : Such fires, like the fire ofhell, haveheat, but no light. This fhould make us afraid to blow up the fireof divinedif- pleafure againft us , either by open or fecret fins ; feeing the Lord can confume fannersby fecret fires; and kindle a flame up- on themwithout blowing. It may be terrible to the Monarkes and powers ofthe world to remember, what is prophecied by Daniel, That they fhall be deftroyed by a fosse cut out without hand.e ( Dan. 2. 34. ) that is, without anyviGble meanes,or hu- mane preparations. It thould makeall Nations tremble before God, and take heed how they lift uptheir hands againfi him, who 583 Nec hoc leva men deniq ; a. rumniUdatú eft. Videre faltern I noffe quo pe- reant malo. Sen. is Agam. Act. 3.
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